The Pittsburgh Steelers have now inched a step closer to getting star receiver Martavis Bryant back for the regular season. Suspended for the entire 2016 campaign after violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, Bryant has reportedly been cleared to return for preseason activities.
As Field Yates over at ESPN notes, this does not mean that Bryant has been fully reinstated by the league. Instead, it’s meant to get him up to date with the Steelers’ offense as that process itself plays out.
Steelers WR Martavis Bryant has been cleared to participate in all preseason activities (games included). Still not yet fully reinstated.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 9, 2017
The Steelers have long expected that Bryant would be reinstated by the NFL. And early on Wednesday, one report suggested that it could happen within the matter of days.
Bryant, 25, remains one of the most-talented young receivers in the game. Prior to being suspended for last season, the former mid-round pick from Clemson hauled in 76 receptions for 1,314 yards and 14 touchdowns in his first two NFL seasons.